Compartment for trailer

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house, a trailer-tent or the like having a box frame, the said arrangement comprising a lateral wing plate pivotally mounted on a side of the frame, a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portions fixed to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed through the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter, a crossbar removably connects the upper ends of the two lateral bars, a piece of flexible material extends over the crossbar and is held at one of its end to the said outer edge of the wing plate and the other end is held to a part of the frame above the wing plate. The space between the piece of flexible material and the wing plate constitute a side compartment for a tent or a trailer.

linited States Patent Beauregard 1451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] COMPARTMENT FOR TRAILER 211 Appl. No.: 88l,725

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 5, 1968 France ..036983 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,466,082 9/1969 Branch Q. ..296/23 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 589,724 6/1947 Great Britain ..296/23.l

Primary Examiner-Philip Goodman Attorney-Raymond A. Robic [57] ABSTRACT An arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house, a trailer-tent or the like having a box frame, the said arrangement comprising a lateral wing plate pivotally mounted on a side of the frame, a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portions fixed to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed through the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter, a crossbar removably connects the upper ends of the two lateral bars, a piece of flexible material extends over the crossbar and is held at one of its end to the said outer edge of the wing plate and the other end is held to a part of the frame above the wing plate. The space between the piece of flexible material and the wing plate constitute a side compartment for a tent or a trailer.

17 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures Pmammmzs I972 3,652,122

SHEET 1 UF 5 INVENTOR Paul E. BEAUREGARD W A TTORNEY PATENTEmmza 1972 SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTOR Paul E. BEAUREGARD I PATENTEDMAR28I972 3 652 122 SHEET Q [1F 5 INVENTOI? Paul E. BEAUREGARD A TTOR/VE'Y PATENTEUMAR28 I972 sum 5 u; 5

3 l/Vl/ENI'OR Paul E. BEAUREGARD Arrow/ COMPARTMENT ron ER The present invention is directed to an arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house, a trailer-tent or the like which may be taken to pieces and folded inside the frame of the trailer.

Various trailer-houses and trailer-tents are available on the market and distinguishes from each other essentially by the.

structure involved in the erecting and folding of the constituting parts. The facility for erecting and folding a trailer-tent constitutes one of the major problems in this field. Furthermore, it is one of the main objectives. for designers of trailertents and trailer-housings to provide as much living space as possible without having to transport on the roads a too voluminous trailer.

It is another object of this invention to provide a structure which provides a simple and a speedy arrangement for erecting and folding a trailer-tent or an outer compartment of a trailer-house.

The present invention is essentially directed to an arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house, a trailer-tent or the like having a box frame, the said arrangement comprising a lateral wing plate pivotally mounted on a side of the frame, a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portionsfixed to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing surface in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing surface and pivotally fixed to the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter, a crossbar removably connecting the upper end of the two lateral bars, a piece of flexible material extending over the crossbar and held at one of its ends to the said outer edge of the wing plate and the outer end being held to a part of the frame above the wing plate, whereby a compartment is provided between the flexible material and the wing plate.

This arrangement is particularly useful for a trailer-tent made of a box-type frame and upon which the wing plates are pivotally mounted so as to provide outer compartments when the plate is in a horizontal position outside the frame and is adapted to close the box frame when pivoted above the said box frame.

When such an outer compartment extends on both lateral sides of the box frame, the flexible material may be mounted to extend over both of these compartments and above a roof bar supported by two upright posts fixed to the frame at an intermediate portion of the transversal sides of the box frame.

All the elements involved in this new arrangement for supporting an outer compartment may be set up and taken to pieces by an operator which stays exclusively outside the tent. It does not therefore necessitate a person inside and another person outside the tent for these operations. The work is therefore expedited.

It may be also realized from the above-mentioned structure that it requires a few parts which provide a rigid and stable assembly and therefore reduces the cost of the trailer-tent.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in the new arrangement of the door for the tent which is cut out from the side of the tent and may be folded into an open position and stay in that position.

Other advantages and characteristics will become obvious from the following detailed description of the invention which is illustrated in the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer-tent shown in its erect position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper corner of the trailer-tent showing the assembly of a roof bar with an upright post;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the tent illustrating the door in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the connection between a lateral bar and the lower part of the box frame;

FIG. 5 is a perspective and partly exploded view of a side of a trailer-tent showing the supporting elements;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a trailer-tent having a double wall;

FIG. 7 illustrates the method of connecting the lateral bars on the crossbar and wing plate;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a folded trailer-tent;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a trailer-house displaying the new compartment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the right-hand side compartment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view of the compartment seen in FIG. 10 in a folded position;

FIG. 12 is a front view of another alternative of a trailer-tent in its erected position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a trailer-tent in a closed position;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a portion of an alternative supporting arrangement for the compartment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a roof tent for a vehicle;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a roof tent;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a roof tent shown in FIG. 15 in a folded position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the folded tent shown in FIG. 17 and mounted on wheels.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 consists of a trailer-tent having a rectangular frame 1, formed by a base or floor 3 and four vertical sides which include two longitudinal sides 5a and 5b and two transversal sides and 7b. The base 1 is expected to contain all the necessary elements for providing the expected comfort to the occupants such as bed 4 when the tent is erected.

Adjacent to the frame 1 and to the transversal side 7b, a triangular platform 9 extends outwardly from the floor 3 and outside the frame 1. This platform 9 is used as an entrance floor when the tent is in its erected position and has a towing device when the tent is ready to be pulled by a vehicle. The steps 11 are removably fixed to the platform 9.

The frame 1 and the platform 9 are provided with legs 13 which provide a solid support when the tent is to be used.

Lateral wing plates 15 are pivotally mounted along the upper edge 17 of the longitudinal sides 5a and 5b. These wing plates 15 70 outwardly and may be used as a a a bed or any other similar household need. When these wing plates are position, they constitute a cover for the frame 1 (see FIG. 8).

The frame is used to carry and support an assembly of parts for erecting the tent 18.

This supporting structure is made of:

a. four lateral bars 19 extend upwardly and outwardly from the four lower corners 21 of the frame 1 to the free corners 23 of the lateral plate 15 (see FIG. 5); these lateral bars 19 extend further up and are bent at a predetermined angle so as to provide adequate space in the compartment above the wing plate 15;

b. two upright posts 25 fixed outside the frame 1 to the transversal sides 7a and 7b near the middle of these sides, and

c. three crossbars, preferably telescopic bars, form the upper structure of the tent; two crossbars 27a fixed at the upper end 19a of the lateral bars 19 and a roof bar 27b fixed at the upper free ends 250 of the upright post 25 supports a flexible tent material 18. The crossbars 27a are inserted into a channel 29 of the tent before they are fixed at both ends to the ends 19a. Similarly, the roof bar 27b is inserted in the channel 29 before it is connected to the post 25. The channels 29 are made by strips 30 sewed to the tent 18.

Each of the four lateral bars 19 is pivotally fixed along the axle 32 and is removably mounted at the four lower corners 21 of the frame 1 by means of a sleeve 33 adapted to receive a spindle 31 when inserted in the housing 34. The spindle 31 is threadably fixed to the frame.

This way, the bars 19 may pivot in two orthogonal directions (see arrows in FIG. 4). This facilitates their manipulation when the tent is erected or taken to pieces. When the tent is taken to pieces, the bars 19 are removed and stored in the frame 1 or remain connected in the housing 34 but folded along the side of the frame as shown in FIGS. and 8.

The lateral bars 19 are connected to the comers 23 of the wing plates 15 (FIG. 5) by pins 35 which are inserted into holes 37 provided at the comers of the wing plates. Locking pegs 39 are inserted through the pins 35 so as to prevent them from being removed from the holes 37.

The upper end 19a of each lateral bar 19 is provided (FIG. 5) with a small pin 41 which is inserted into the corresponding holes 43 provided at the end of the crossbar 27a. The roof bar 27b located across the middle of the tent is held by the upright post 25 and its connection will be explained later. As stated previously, the two crossbars and the roof bar, before they are connected to the lateral bars 19 and to the upward post 25, are passed through the channels 29 in the tent. The tent is provided at the four comers, corresponding to the pins 41, with holes 42 which enable the said pins to pass through the tent after they have passed through the holes 43 of the bars. The tent is solidly held to the various bars by the pins.

The upright bars 25 are removably fixed to frame 1 by screws or similar means not illustrated. These bars 25 are disposed inside the frame when the tent is taken to pieces.

The free end 25a of each upright post 25 is provided (FIG. 2) with a peg 45 pivoting about a pivot 47 and adapted to be inserted horizontally inside a hole 49 provided at each end of the roof bar 27b. The pins in these two upper corners have a tongue 51 which surrounds the peg 45. The tongue 51 has the female part 53 of a snap fastener which is held to the corresponding male part 55 located on the upright post. This tongue helps to hold the tent and the upright post in a firm positron.

The tent 18 is also held down to the frame by means of snap fastener 57 or any similar means (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5).

Windows 59 and a door 61 are provided at least at one end of the tent for the ventilation of and the entrance to the tent.

The door 61 is made (FIGS. 1 and 3) of a small pivoting gate 63 forming part of the frame 1 and of a part 65 cut out of the tent itself having the shape of a knife blade curved and pointed upwardly. This cut part 65 is fixed to the small gate by snap fasteners (not illustrated) or any similar means.

This entrance door, when opened and folded on the side, provides an adequate entrance or exit for people. It is adapted to remain open and does not need to be held continuously for that purpose. The cut out part, when the door is closed, is held to the tent by a lightning fastener 67.

FIG. 6 shows a different embodiment of the flexible material covering the tent in that it has a double wall 18a and 18b so as to provide a better protection.

FIG. 7 shows the manner in which the crossbars 27a are connected to the lateral bars 19. It is particularly illustrated that the distance between the upper ends of the lateral bars 19 is shorter than the distance between the lower ends. This enables the bars 27a to be axially tightened due to the pressure of the upper ends of the bars 19.

The longitudinal bars 27a and the roof bar 27b are shown as being telescopic bars in FIGS. 5 and 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a trailer-house having on the sides compartments according to the invention. The lateral bars 19 are fixed at the lower end to the trailer 70 and supports the wing plate 15 in a horizontal position (FIG. 10) while the fabric material 18 is stretched from the upper part of the trailerhouse 70 and snapped under the outer edge of the wing plate 15. The wing plate constitutes a portion of the side wall 72 of the trailer-house and is pivotally fixed thereto. When the outer compartment is not needed, and in particular when it is transported on the road, it is folded as illustrated in FIG. 11 and the wing plate closes the side wall 72 while the fabric portion 18 is folded between the wing plate and a wrapping cover 74. When not in use, this wrapping cover 74 is rolled above the compartment inside the side wall 72 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Another type of trailer-tent is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein a box frame 1 has a flat roof 2 which may be used as a cover for transporting the whole assembly on the road. When the trailer-tent is used, the roof 2 is raised in position by upright posts 24 at each comer of the box frame 1 and the side compartments may be mounted in the usual manner with the lateral bars 19, the wing plates 15 and the crossbars 27a. With 5 this arrangement, a rectangular door 60 is provided. When the trailer-tent shown in FIG. 12 is taken apart, the removable bars 19 and 27a and the door 60 are placed inside the box frame. The wing plates 15 are pivoted inside the box frame 1, the upright posts 24 are pivoted inwardly and the cover 2 is lowered in the position illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 illustrates a different arrangement of the lateral bars 20. These bars are pivotally fixed to the upper end of the trailer that is through the roof 2 (FIG. 14) or through the upper part of the side wall 72 (not shown).

With this arrangement, the predetermined angle between the two portions of the lateral bars is different than for the ones illustrated in previous Figures but the portion of the bar extending outwardly of the wing plate 15 is disposed at substantially the same angle relative to the wing plate 15.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 in which the side compartment is built along the same conception as the previously described embodiment. This arrangement is expected to be carried on the roof of a car. It has a base 3 to which are pivotally mounted wing plates 15. When the plates 15 are in their horizontal position, the lateral bars 19 are fixed to the edge of the plates 15 and the upper end I portion of the lateral bars 19 are interconnected by a crossbar 27a. The upright post (FIG. 16) may also be tilted such as the post 26 in FIG. 15 to provide a greater entrance space in the tent. These posts 25 and 26 are of the telescopic type and may be rigidly fixed at a desired length. A roof bar 27b extends between the two upright posts and supports the tent flexible material 18 which extends from one wing plate 15 around and over the two crossbars 27a and down on the other side below the other wing plate 15. The usual side coverings providing the needed ventilation and the door completes the shielding of the roof tent.

FIG. 17 illustrates the folded roof tent shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The two wing plates 15 are raised upwardly with the lateral bars pivoted towards each other so that the two crossbars 270 come close to each other. The flexible tent material is folded within this space and a shielding material 73 wraps the whole assembly so as to constitute a good protection.

FIG. 18 illustrates the possibility of transferring this roof assembly as shown in FIG. 17 onto a set of trailer-wheels so that it may be transported behind a self-motorized vehicle.

As illustrated, the post 26 may be fixed to the side of the folded trailer-tent.

I claim:

1. An arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house a trailer-tent or the like having a box frame, the said arrangement comprising:

a lateral wing plate pivotally mounted on a side of the frame,

a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portions rigidly secured to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed to the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter,

a crossbar removably connecting the upper end of the two lateral bars,

a piece of flexible material extending over the crossbar and held at one of its ends to the said outer edge of the wing plate and the other end being held to a part of the frame above the wing plate,

whereby a compartment is provided between the flexible material and the wing plate.

2. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral wing plate is pivotally mounted so as to form a closure for said box frame.

3. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral 75 bars are fixed to the frame by a universal joint.

4. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral bars are fixed to the frame below the wing plate.

5. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral bar is fixed to the frame above the compartment.

6. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the second portion of the lateral bar forms an angle with the opened wing plate slightly over 90.

10. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the piece of flexible material is provided with a channel for receiving the crossbar.

11. A tent comprising:

a box type frame having a base, two longitudinal and two transversal sides, a wing plate pivotally mounted about the upper edge of each longitudinal side and adapted to be disposed in a horizontal position outside the frame,

an upright post fixed to the frame at an intermediate portion of the transversal sides,

a pair of lateral bars'having two rigid portions fixed to each other at a predetennined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed to the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter,

a crossbar removably connecting the upper end of the two lateral bars, a roof bar removably fixed to the top of each upright post,

a piece of flexible material extending over the roof bar and the two crossbars and removably fixed at both ends to the outer edge of the wing plates.

12. A tent as recited in'claim 11, wherein the roof bar extends through a channel provided in the flexible material.

13. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the roof bar is provided with a hole at both ends and each upright post has a pin pivotally mounted at its upper end and adapted to slide in the holes of the roof bar.

14. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the roof bar is I slidably extensible.

15. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the flexible material has a double wall.

16. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the lateral bars are adapted to fold over the longitudinal sides of the frame.

17. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible material has a double wall. i 

1. An arrangement for supporting an outer compartment on the side of a trailer-house a trailer-tent or the like having a box frame, the said arrangement comprising: a lateral wing plate pivotally mounted on a side of the frame, a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portions rigidly secured to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed to the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter, a crossbar removably connecting the upper end of the two lateral bars, a piece of flexible material extending over the crossbar and held at one of its ends to the said outer edge of the wing plate and the other end being held to a part of the frame above the wing plate, whereby a compartment is provided between the flexible material and the wing plate.
 2. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral wing plate is pivotally mounted so as to form a closure for said box frame.
 3. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral bars are fixed to the frame by a universal joint.
 4. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral bars are fixed to the frame below the wing plate.
 5. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral bar is fixed to the frame above the compartment.
 6. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the second portion of the lateral bar forms an angle with the opened wing plate slightly over 90*.
 7. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein each lateral bar has a pin removably connectable in a hole provided in each side of the wing plate, and means for locking the said pin in the said hole.
 8. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein each lateral bar is connected at its upper end to each end of the crossbar by the combination of a pin slidable in a hole.
 9. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible material is removably fixed to the lower surface of the wing plate.
 10. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the piece of flexible material is provided with a channel for receiving the crossbar.
 11. A tent comprising: a box type frame having a base, two longitudinal and two transversal sides, a wing plate pivotally mounted about the upper edge of each longitudinal side and adapted to be disposed in a horizontal position outside the frame, an upright post fixed to the frame at an intermediate portion of the transversal sides, a pair of lateral bars having two rigid portions fixed to each other at a predetermined angle, the first portion for holding the wing plate in a horizontal position is removably fixed to the outer edge of the wing plate and pivotally fixed to the frame, the second portion of the lateral bars extends from the first portion at the outer edge of the wing plate and above the latter, a crossbar removably connecting the upper end of the two lateral bars, a roof bar removably fixed to the top of each upright post, a piece of flexible material extending over the roof bar and the two crossbars And removably fixed at both ends to the outer edge of the wing plates.
 12. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the roof bar extends through a channel provided in the flexible material.
 13. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the roof bar is provided with a hole at both ends and each upright post has a pin pivotally mounted at its upper end and adapted to slide in the holes of the roof bar.
 14. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the roof bar is slidably extensible.
 15. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the flexible material has a double wall.
 16. A tent as recited in claim 11, wherein the lateral bars are adapted to fold over the longitudinal sides of the frame.
 17. An arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible material has a double wall. 